전생검신 96권 08화

I sensed the vibe of the six [Old Rulers] surrounding me and thought, “This might actually be doable.”

Back when my companions Sagong Lin, Zhuge Sa, and Cheon Woo-jin challenged Aiternum Mundi, they gathered some intel—

The six goons in front of me weren’t at full power!

They were only packing half of their true strength because they didn’t have enough causality to hang out in this world.

But using the unique magic of the [Old Ruler], they conjured these “Real Spirits” to this realm. They might not pack half the punch of their true selves, but still, they could use the power and form of their original bodies. Definitely a lot stronger than sending some half-baked apostles or avatars!

Back then, it was Simon Magus and Flame King Carbadoc who managed to take down Aiternum Mundi. Simon utilized his top-tier spell [Demiurge’s Union] to support the Flame King with causality, amplifying the Flame King’s power, which was only one unit. Of course, if there had been all six bodies of the [Old Ruler] here, that strategy wouldn’t have worked. But because of their causality limits, we were effectively overpowering them in numbers!

But I’m not Simon Magus, and I don’t know any high-level spells. So I have to tackle this with my current strength, which makes things way tougher compared to that Aiternum Mundi raid…

Why do I feel like this is manageable?

Maybe it’s because their magical power doesn’t really impress me much.

‘…….’

The might and presence of the Northern Star Leader’s palace I just faced were way more intimidating than these six foes in front of me. That tells me the Northern Star Leader is just as formidable as their true bodies. Plus, even when surrounded by something like the Twelve Palaces of the Yellow Path, I wasn’t scared at all, so I felt no intimidation from the six Real Spirits here.

It was astonishing. This place, which records show is a hellish nightmare for humans, feels just like that to me—doesn’t that mean I’ve gained enough power to surpass the standards of mankind?

I pondered again and spoke to ‘The One Who Ascends with Sorrow’.

“I don’t want to fight. I accidentally broke through this barrier while trying to get to Earth using the Door of the Demon Gods. Could you just let me go?”

I’m not scared of a fight, but I really don’t want to waste my strength against some tough opponents like these. It would be completely pointless to squander my energy here before facing the important Three Sovereigns.

[For someone who claims that, you seem to know what this place represents quite well. I can’t just let you go without knowing what you know.]

“So, are you saying we should fight?”

[You might come back with your companions and raid this place again.]

‘…….’

Knowing what the opponent was worried about, I couldn’t help but snicker.

“Ha… if I had companions, you guys would be dead by now! Plus, I don’t need them to take you down!”

[What did you just say?]

“Fine. If you want to fight that badly, let’s do it!”

Slowly, I began to draw up the Thunder Soul, connecting it with the World Tree’s power.

“Just think of this as some intense warm-up before battling the Three Sovereigns!”

Kukwakwa!

In the next moment, my Thunder Soul and azure flame resonated, unleashing a powerful wave of energy that spread out in all directions. The wave was merely expelling the star waves I’ve absorbed before, yet the six [Old Rulers] were clearly startled.

[Hack!]

[T-This power is…?!]

[It’s… shaking the very source…!]

Woohooo

As soon as I properly released the power of the World Tree for the first time, I felt a unique reaction throughout my body, like electric signals crawling up from my fingertips and toes. The sensation of being interconnected with the world, like I was breathing the world itself! Along with this bizarre feeling, I heard the voice of the great master Solomon within me.

[The Nine Roots of the World Tree have been unlocked. I can’t access the Three Thousand Worlds yet, but you can now absorb all the star waves you’ve linked to at ten times the rate.]

What the heck?

What’s happening right now, Solomon?

[The World Tree is both a race and a system. You’re becoming a part of the system, allowing you to grow as a World Tree… Since it’s a plant, it needs roots in this world. These roots consist of nine sources that will extend into nine realms – this is the first passive skill and attribute you gain as the ‘race’ of the World Tree!]

… This makes no sense.

So basically, I can absorb waves faster now?

[As the Nine Roots develop, you’ll unlock additional abilities. For now, just understand it that way.]

Alright, so what do I do next?

[I don’t know either. I can only tell you about the unlocking of new abilities; using them is up to you.]

What? That sounds simple.

Just gather a ton of power and blow it all away!

Kugugugugu

As I controlled the flow of power merging the Thunder Soul and azure flame, I simultaneously heightened the wave I was absorbing from countless star-strings I connected to. I felt the rate of absorption speeding up, and connected to the world, it felt like my power was almost infinite.

Once I felt I had gathered enough power, I extended one hand forward, pointing my index finger.

“Take this!”

Could I actually manifest this vast power as martial arts? Or is this power a divine one and impossible to use like martial arts?

To resolve this question, I had only one chance for an attack!

Eight Immortals Divine Art!

Seven Star Thunderbolt Technique!

Tukwang!

The first lightning strike hit ‘The One Who Ascends with Sorrow’, who seemed to already have an invisible magical barrier up, as the bolt bounced off his shield.

Zchkk

[……!]

But just one lightning strike created a massive crack in ‘The One Who Ascends with Sorrow’s’ barrier! I chuckled at his startled reaction.

“Why so surprised so quickly?”

The Seven Star Thunderbolt Technique is supposed to follow one-two-three-four-five-six-seven in a chain!

Kwahng!

The second lightning strike hit ‘The One Who Ascends with Sorrow’ even harder. In that instant, his barrier shattered into pieces, and the energy from the strike pierced right through him. In that split second he got hit by the second lightning strike, a loud explosion erupted from his body.

Pervubuk!

[Krwoooh!]

With ‘The One Who Ascends with Sorrow’ sustaining significant injuries from the hit, I was the one who ended up surprised and bit my hand.

“Oh no, that’s not fun.”

It’s supposed to be one-two-three-four-five-six-seven; hitting multiple times is part of the fun! To break through on just the first strike and be handled by the second, come on!

As I stopped casting my basic technique, Solomon chimed in from within me.

[Impressive. He might be a Real Spirit, but the fact you can injure him so easily… It looks like the waves themselves have a property that weakens their powers. Normally, the [Old Rulers] can distort time and space to regenerate in an instant, yet they can’t do that now.]

“Hm, is that so?”

[By the way, if you’d gone all out, you could’ve finished him right away. Why hold back?]

“Because if he dies right away, there’s no way to practice using this power.”

[Oh, I see. So that’s the kind of gap in power we’re talking about… Well thought out!]

‘…….’

Hmm, wait… if even the notoriously harsh Solomon thinks that’s a good strategy, does that mean I’m being way too cruel?

Have I gotten overwhelmed by my power? Just as I was shocked by that notion, I heard suddenly:

[Stop. We apologize.]

One of the other foes stepped forward from the group and spoke to me in a divine tone.

“You…”

The three-headed snake-like [Old Ruler] spoke.

[I am ‘The One Who Holds the Blue Wheel’. Your power is so immense that even if we all rushed at you, it would be difficult to stand a chance. How did a being of your caliber come all the way here?]

It was a declaration of surrender. I let out a sigh.

“… As I said earlier, I was going to Earth through the Door of the Demon Gods, but I ended up here by mistake. I didn’t intend to invade.”

[Fine. We apologize for instigating the fight. Would you relent and leave here?]

I shot a glance at ‘The One Who Ascends with Sorrow’, who’s still struggling after taking a hit from the second strike.

“You’re not like him, are you? You won’t ask me how I know this place.”

[This world follows the survival of the fittest. We’re not in a position to extract information from you, so we simply want you to retreat.]

‘…….’

I thought it over for a moment and replied.

“It seems like our misunderstanding led to this fight; how about we exchange some information? I truly have no business here. My only concern is Chi You.”

[Chi You…?]

“If you tell me about Aiternum Mundi, I’ll be willing to share more with you. If you just send me away with no knowledge, it would be awkward for both sides, right?”

[…….]

They seemed to huddle together for a whispered discussion. After some deliberation, they finally spoke to me.

[Alright. We’ll exchange information as you suggested. What do you wish to know?]

Awesome!

Inside, I was celebrating. Even though I technically had no business in this Aiternum Mundi without ‘Non-Birth Mother’s Dharma Technique’, this was a place I’d definitely return to if I were to have my thirty-first reincarnation. Gaining insights ahead of time here would pay off in my next life.

“I know this place is called Aiternum Mundi, and that in the future, it will host ‘Non-Birth Mother’s Dharma Technique’. But why are you guarding it before the technique has even arrived? What’s this about the Void Record?”

[You know quite a lot. Just as you said, we are here to guard this place according to the vision of the Void Record.]

“How does it make sense to guard it in advance… If you don’t guard it and the technique arrives, what happens?”

‘The One Who Holds the Blue Wheel’ continued.

[As soon as the technique arrives here, the one who grabs it first becomes its master.]

‘……!’

[We’re waiting here to prevent such an occurrence. If anything unexpected happens, the High Priest of the [Ancient Race] will handle it.]

So that’s how it is!

Because each technique could be a calamity if it gets into the hands of someone powerful!

Now, what should I ask next…

[How about this?]

Just as I was pondering, Solomon subtly suggested from within me.

I found that suggestion intriguing, so I decided to ask as he advised.

“Do you know where the other ‘Non-Birth Mother’s Dharma Techniques’ are? I’ve gathered information from elsewhere.”

Hmm… I wonder what Solomon is thinking with this question?

These guys probably don’t know anything…

[…… How did you know?]

‘……!’

Huh?!

What the?! Is that real?!

[Heh. Just as I expected. Then let’s keep the questions coming.]

Taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, my eyes widened, but Solomon had predicted this and continued to guide my responses, making me repeat after him like a parrot.

“The techniques don’t activate unless all fragments come together. In other words, as long as at least one fragment is safely held, it can prevent someone from claiming all of it. If you fail to guard this Antarctic technique and it gets stolen, you’ll have to rush to protect the other techniques. So, you’ve probably figured out their locations…”

Yikes… is that how it works?

I hadn’t thought of that!

I stuttered slightly while saying this, but they oddly didn’t seem to find it suspicious, merely chuckling.

[That’s indeed correct… However, it would be unwise to expect us to share that location with you… We are the faction that has decided to bear any cost to prevent the destruction of the universe… The reason we don’t want to clash with you isn’t because we fear destruction, but if an unnecessary sacrificial ground is created before the techniques even arrive, it could jeopardize our true mission…]

‘…….’

[So now, why don’t you tell your part of the story?]

Solomon seemed to stay silent, so I shared how I ended up here. Once I finished, the others seemed to ease up and said.

[So that was it. I don’t see any reason for us to keep fighting, so you may leave…]

But at that moment, Solomon whispered from inside me.

[If you leave like this, you won’t get anything. Try saying this.]

“Huh? Isn’t this over?”

[If it works, it’s great; if not, oh well. No harm in throwing a bait.]

I paused, then on Solomon’s cue, I posed a question.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to answer. The High Priest of the [Ancient Race] knows the locations of the techniques, right? I can catch him instead…”

In that instant.

Kooohhhh!

The six [Old Rulers] suddenly ignited their battle intent and unleashed a massive surge of magical power.

The killing intent this time was far stronger than before; it was clear they were ready to fight to the death.

[You… if you do that, we won’t go easy on you!]

‘…….’

As I stood dumbfounded, Solomon couldn’t help but chuckle in my mind.

[Looks like we don’t need to ask any more questions.]